OPPO: Ipswich Town
VENUE: Portman Road
RESULT: Tractor Boys 1, Lads 2
TEAM: . Poom; Babb, Bjorklund, McCartney, Arca, Whitley, McAteer (Thornton 90), Williams (Ramsden 90), Thirlwell, Smith (Oster 82), Kyle.
SUBS NOT USED: Ingham, Proctor
BOOKED: McAteer
BACK IN BLACK: Mike Riley (Yorkshire)
ATTENDANCE: 21,406
MCCARTHY’S COMMENTS
“I thought in the first half we played very well and for an away team we were not in control, but we were very controlled.
“There were not a lot of chances, but we played well and kept possession well. We got a very fortunate break for our second goal, but we will take it gladly – it’s the first one we have had.
“That changed the game because it took the sting out of Ipswich for a time and we managed to keep possession and fortunately when we did lose a goal, it was a bit too late for them.
“I had a pop at the players after last week’s defeat at Millwall, for not standing up to it, but we did it today; the players were terrific. I feel the cup run can help our league form.”
Mick McCarthy’s men were on the back foot for much of the second half and Arca’s goal was down to a blunder from Town keeper Kelvin Davis.
Tommy Smith put the men from Wearside ahead in first-half stoppage time, finishing off a well-worked move which was started with a crunching tackle from Darren Williams.
The foundations for the win were laid by a tremendous display from the Black Cats’ back-four in which Phil Babb and Joachim Bjorklund were excellent.
it was a good, hard-working performance by the men from Wearside who have now won six of their last seven games.
Sunderland lived dangerously on occasions in the first period, mainly because of the quality of some of Town’s crossing, but they also looked capable of scoring themselves.
…a typically well-organised display by Mick McCarthy’s improving Sunderland
Ipswich are by far the leading scorers in the First Division, but have been leaking goals, last weekend’s 6-4 win over Crewe being an example. Sunderland, by contrast, have the second meanest defence.
Ipswich enjoyed large chunks of first-half possession, but the best openings went to the visitors.
Whenever Ipswich had a sniff of an opening a Sunderland body always got in the way.
Smith was only playing up front because of Stewart’s suspension, but his goal, only his second of the season, set the second half up perfectly.
With both Arca and Kyle a constant threat on the counter-attack, Ipswich’s back four rarely had a moment’s peace.
Sunderland will be able to look at their performance with the satisfaction that they, rather than their promotion rivals, looked the better candidates for a Premiership return.
Even with Kevin Kyle in isolation up front, it was Sunderland who created more and better chances, with Smith often their creative hub.
Darren Williams picked up the loose ball and raced down the right, sending in a cross for Smith, whose first-time right-foot strike sped across Davis and in at the far post.
Jason McAteer’s aimless lobned free-kick floated over the Ipswich defence and Davis seemed to have it under control. Except he didn’t. The ball squirmed from his grasp and Arca stepped forward for the tap-in.
Sunderland rode their luck to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Ipswich were made to pay for missing a succession of chances and despite Martijn Reuser’s late goal Sunderland held on to go through.
The two sides looked well matched for much of the game.
The home side were hit by a sucker-punch when they fell behind on the stroke of half-time.
Counago and Kuqi always looked capable of causing the Sunderland defence problems.
Sunderland seemed content to sit back and defend their lead, but only succeeded in inviting an Ipswich onslaught.
Sunderland’s second was a complete gift of a goal, with Davis failing to collect a McAteer free-kick and Arca having the simple task of tapping in from three yards out.
